She wanted to thank me. Thank me for praying for her and her spouse. They were doing much better now. They both got the YouVersion of the Bible on their phones and were even participating in the daily reading plans. They both started praying with the kids on the way to school. Her life is being transformed…
She went on to say that she had recently completed a 21 day fast. What?!? “Why and how did you do that?” Even though things were going better, she had reached what seemed to be an impasse in her spiritual life and felt there was a wall she could not get past. Then, her YouVersion of the Bible had an article on the benefits of fasting.
She sheepishly and apologetically shared that she only made it 19 days, not the full 21. Her husband reminded her that God is more concerned about the desire and the deepening relationship than fulfilling a 21 day commitment. Most people who come forward for prayer after the worship service are struggling with a variety of challenging (to say the least) situations and she just wanted to rejoice in what God has been up to.
I shared with them that I must be a spiritual weanie, because I only fast one day a week! For the last few years, not sure exactly when I started, I have done what is called a “Wesley fast”. More about that a little later. As I began the journey into inner or emotional healing for myself and also found myself praying for others, I decided to start fasting. Unlike other friends, I did not see a huge difference or get any major breakthroughs but I kept going. Not only did I want to see God move more in my prayers with others, but I also, desperately wanted to hear more from Him. So often, while praying with others, I am in way over my head and pay grade, so I depend on Him to show up.
Why fast? In Richard Foster’s classic book, “Celebration of Discipline”, he says that fasting is “the voluntary denial of a normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity.” It seems, and actually is, quite counter-cultural to deprive yourself of something so basic. Jesus fasted, regularly. Matthew 4:1,2 says, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” Jesus also told his followers, “When you fast…”, so it was a pretty standard thing in His day. Fasting makes us physically weak but spiritually strong and prepares us to do God’s work.
The spiritual discipline of fasting is an act of humility. Psalm 35:13 says, “I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting.” When we humble ourselves and draw closer to God, He promises to draw closer to us. We as humans are really “spirit critters” that happen to be wrapped in a human body with flesh. So often, we allow our bodies to dictate what and how we will live. As we deny ourselves as an act of consecration, we are better able to exercise self-control.
Fasting also helps us become sensitive to the Holy Spirit. In Acts 13:2 we read, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So, when we deny ourselves of our natural cravings for food, our spiritual antennas become sharper. We can become more sensitive to His voice and we are better able to focus on God, submitting to His will. Fasting reduces the power of self so that the Holy Spirit can do a more intense work within us.
While fasting, it is probably best not to let others know what you are up to. People will think you are weird and will not understand. Also, Jesus said not to do it in a showy way or wearing a long face of suffering. Get cleaned up and be content that your Father sees what is being done in secret and He will reward you. Read Matthew 6:16-18. When I first started fasting, I was grumpy. Not the benefit I was going for! Also, do not do this as a weight reduction plan since that would not be the right motivation.
So, what should we focus on? Seek the Lord by committing to prayer and Bible reading during the times you normally would eat. Be prepared to change in whatever way God may lay on your heart. If God speaks or puts His finger on something, do it right away whether it is an issue of forgiveness or a personal habit. Also, be expectant! Even if He does not answer your prayers immediately, persevere and trust that He is a work in the spiritual realm. After all, He is always at work.
The easiest way that I know of to try fasting is by using the “Wesley fast”. It is appropriately named after the famous evangelist and theologian John Wesley, whose “methods” helped found the Methodist church. Wesley and his leaders were required to fast two days a week, along with serious Bible study and discipleship. If they did not keep up, there were not allowed to be part of the “class”, our modern day small groups.
Fasting is much easier than you would imagine. Contrary to popular opinion, and the ads for fast food, you will not expire by missing a meal or two. The prescription for the “Wesley fast” is pretty simple. After supper, do not eat anything. The next day, skip breakfast and lunch. No snacking! You can break the fast late afternoon or at your normal suppertime. It is very important that if you suffer from blood sugar problems or are pregnant, not to consider this without speaking to your doctor.
There are a variety of other kinds of fasts that you might want to work up to. For instance, there is a 21 day fast and also what is called a “Daniel fast” to consists of juices, whole grains, no meat, etc. A simple Google search will give you details.
Finally, you might consider using the money you would have spent on food and give it as an offering to help others. Isaiah 58 suggests that a true fast results in getting help, either in our own hearts or to affect other people’s lives in a positive way.
You could use that money to sponsor a Compassion International child for $38 a month. Hint, hint. Missy and I will be fasting on Fridays along with our new Compassion partner church in Santa Cruz, Bolivia named “20 de Mayo”. Each Friday, as a staff, and as a church, they fast together and then meet for prayer on Friday nights. They claim there is no way they could deal with all the poverty and all the needs of their people without God’s intervention, so fasting is a necessary, yet powerful, tool for them. Hopefully, you will try it and find that to be true in your life as well.
